"Hmmmmmm~"
"Hmmmmmm~"
Kaori sat on her couch humming a happy tune to the opening of battle idol.
'Who is ready for another action-packed episode of Battle Idol?'
She was…
But only half paying attention; scrolling through her phone looking at photos of Eren; or sneaky shots that she took of her reaper. Not very photogenic as most were him being grumpy or straight faced as usual.
"This... No, this one." She did manage however, to capture two very good photos of the reaper.
One, their first date. Him looking out at the first snow of winter, a wonder in his eyes and those heavy furrows alleviated.
The other, one that was taken recently; During the guild Christmas lunch, reading to all those kids. Another soft moment.
In both he almost looked at peace with himself. At peace with the world.
Kaori's cheeks went a little red, the man who didn't remember her had been to hell and back.
She was ignorant to this. But she had spent much of her life as a ranker reading people. She could see the signal fires inside of him; But what it was…
'Our first act tonight. The Idols of dusk rose will perform their hit new single...'
'I'll find a way Eren, I swear it to the heavens.' Her determination was unbreakable, a will that could cleave the world in two.
"Huhhhh?" Her determination was quickly replaced with utter confusion.
On the TV there he was, sitting with another women... She was laughing and looking at him with eyes of adoration.
Her fist tightened, phone in hand almost cracked under pressure. Her own eyes glazed over, like she was about to kill a certain someone.
A shadow began to seep forth.
'What the fuck is Eren doing there... And who the fuck is that bitch?'
*Bzzt* *Bzzt*
~
Hello?
Eren... Where are you?
Oh, Kaori. Long story but I'm at Battle Idol.
UH-HUH. And that girl?
Oh, another long story- Wait how do you know about-
Are you on a date with her?
What, no. I'm-
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure, why are you asking so many questions?
Who is that women?
An acquaintance. But while I'm here I can get you something-
No. I don't want anything.
Okay... Are you sure?
...
Are you okay?
...
Kaori?
*Click*
~
The line went dead; a silence hung amongst the roar of the crowd.
"Who was that?" Hana asked, Eren looked at the screen on his phone.
"I think I've done something wrong… I need to go and find some Mr. Fluffers after this."
"Those weird little hamster things... Why?"
"Just a gut feeling..." Without doing anything wrong he had somehow made Kaori angry.
Another adventure to find some rare Mr. Fluffers. And at the same time, a little fear in the reaper's heart.
'What did I do?'
***
Emi sat in a pink bedroom. Mayu's room; the epitome of teenage girlhood. Posters of idols, figurines, and a massive TV screen.
With both Mayu and Yui with her, they watched Battle Idol; waiting for the main show to begin.
The dragon princess Mizuki was the yet to perform so they were only half paying attention to the TV. Everyone else was second to their princess.
"What university are you two aiming for?" Yui asked. Her attention split between Mayu and the show.
"Well... I'm looking at Tokyo medical." A nervous chuckle from Mayu.
"Ehhh, That's a really good school... Don't they only accept the top 5% of the country?"
"Yeah, I'll have to study hard this year. But that's my goal."
"I'm aiming for the Tokyo University of gate technology. I want to be an engineer, or a mechanic helping monitor those gates. Something to do with machines. But that school is one of the best in the world, only the top 2% go there." Yui turned to Emi.
"What about you Emi? What's your goal?" Both girls turned to the raven-haired girl.
"Um... Well. To be honest I never really thought that far ahead." Not a lie, she was only a middling student unlike her friends and didn't have the academic talent of Mayu or Yui. Or at least that what she kept telling herself.
"Oh, come on. A girl like you could get into any university you wanted. You're smart, pretty, talented..." The ever-inspiring Mayu smiled at Emi. That kind smile always managed to put her at ease.
"Yeah, you could even get into a good university through recommendations alone." Yui added. Like hell would they let their best friend stay a NEET. Not on her watch.
"Well... We can study together, and I can get some tips off you two-"
"GYAAAAAAAH~ It's Eren!" Yui jumped up from her spot. Eyes glued to the TV. A white-haired man sat in the VIP area. A deep in thought by the strong furrow of the brow, a blonde man sat next to him, flicking his hair like a cat was playing a feather teaser.
"Oh my... Emi is your brother... Like that?" Mayu's words trailed off, her face turned a slight pink from the sight of Eren and a man that looked more model than a human.
'It wouldn't surprise me if Eren swung that way.'
"No! My brother is straight. He is not like that."
Despite the outward protest. Emi remained stunned.
How could her brother who loathed Battle Idol to the bone be at a live show? That same brother that hated the noise and crowds and social situations, was in the front row. Watching idols perform.
Her friends didn't register her words as the camera cut back to the performance.
Some forbidden thoughts running through their minds at that moment.
'I hope he can get me a present.' Emi was more than a little pleased that her brother was at the event. She had never met her idol, the Dragon Princess Mizuki. And if her brother was at the show.
Maybe, just maybe she could get an autograph.
***
Baelor meditated in his office. The serenity of isolation.
An elven wine in hand, and a large book in the other. The book big enough to crush the skull of anyone who would oppose this wise sages preserve. Not an ounce of fear or anxiety to be had.
This was his sanctuary of solace.
None would disturb him here. Not in the heart of the guild. A place where the shadows all but faded away.
The silence, a soothing balm that eased the burdens of leadership and responsibility, allowing him to immerse himself in the ancient knowledge of the grimoire.
*Knock* *Knock*
However, duty had a way of calling upon even the most secluded of individuals.
"Enter." Snapping the book shut, Baelor looked up from his sanctuary.
Minami entered with a quiet step.
"Master Baelor... Something you should see."
She turned on the TV. To Battle Idol. Right on cue, Eren sat in the front row, arms folded and deep in thought as the show continued.
"What do you think he is doing?" Minami asked, more curious about why he was there rather than surprised like most.
"Hmmmm... Nothing good I assume. That world, I fear would disturb Eren greatly." The sage took a long sip of wine.
"I fear that he is currently hunting wicked creatures. His hunt had led him there…"
"Should I call Mr. Jiro and Akira?"
"If you would be so kind... Tell them to head toward ward 17 at once." Baelor sighed, taking one last long sip of wine.
'I wonder who is in more danger. The cartel, or Eren.'